Guyana’s electoral and governance systems foster polarization -Carter Center

On Tuesday, the Center expressed deep concern about divisive campaign rhetoric but believe the country’s electoral preparations are on track.

Guyana’s electoral and governance systems foster polarization -Carter Center

The Carter Center has declared that the upcoming elections are another important test for Guyanese and believes that at the end of what is anticipated to be a very competitive election, Guyanese may be reluctant to accept the results.

This reluctance, the Center says, will largely depend on the quality of the electoral process but whether this materializes or not the Center maintains it will be an important test for Guyana and its people.

 On Tuesday, the Center expressed deep concern about divisive campaign rhetoric but believe the country’s electoral preparations are on track.

In a feature published on its website, the Cater Center, which currently has an office set up at the Pegasus Hotel, reminded that for many years’ politics in this small South American country have fractured along ethnic lines.

David Carroll, Director of the Carter Center’s Democracy Program, observed that while the population and political scene are changing, the country’s electoral and governance systems foster polarization rather than inclusion.

“While most political leaders acknowledge the need for constitutional reform, progress has been lacking. The key question is whether serious reforms will proceed after the elections,” he added.

The Carter Center was invited to observe the May 11 elections .

“There’s a strong sense that this could be a closely contested election,” said Carroll. “The Carter Center knows Guyana quite well, and the Guyanese are very familiar with the Center’s work. We have observed three different elections in Guyana — in 1992, 2001, and 2006 — and we have a deep familiarity with the country’s politics and challenges.”

The Center deployed six medium-term observers in mid-April to assess the political climate and electoral preparations. During this week they will be joined by about 40 short-term observers who will be deployed across the nation.

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